Peter Friedlander reshuffles plans with three specific roles across scripted
Amazon MGM Studios’ overhaul under recently installed chief Peter Friedlander has continued with Kara Smith appointed to lead drama and a handful of execs set to depart.
Friedlander unveiled a new-look for the studio in January, outlining plans to create a genre-based structure that saw Laura Lancaster’s US-based co-pro unit and Nick Pepper’s ’wholly owned’ division being disbanded.
Both execs left the company as a result of the rejig, with development and current programming now being set across four genres: drama and comedy; worldbuilding; animation; and unscripted.
A single exec to lead the drama and comedy unit had been sought, but Friedlander has now opted to split the role into specific drama, comedy and young adult roles.
Smith, who has shepherded shows including Reacher and The Summer I Turned Pretty, is taking the head of drama role, reporting into Friedlander directly. A head of comedy and head of YA are yet to be announced.
Blair Fetter, Netflix’s former chief of spectacle series who departed the streamer shortly after Friedlander’s own exit, joined Amazon MGM Studios to lead the worldbuilding unit, which encompasses fantasy and sci-fi series.
Jenn Levy, another former Netflix exec who joined Amazon earlier this year, leads unscripted, while Melissa Wolfe retains her role heading up animation.
All three report into Friedlander, with the search underway to find an exec to head the drama and comedy division.
The latest rejig will see Michael McDonald, who had led comedy and drama development, exiting, alongside development exec Jennifer Chambers, and current drama head Odetta Watkins.
Friedlander said in a note to staff that Smith’s team would “be structured around verticals, with executives shepherding series from development through subsequent seasons to optimize creative planning and talent relationships.”
He also confirmed that Chambers’ role in overseeing first look and overall deals would now be managed by the appropriate genre-based vertical team.
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